Post Fam Tours

CHANCELLOR, SD
POET Biorefining
www.POET.com
Phone: 605-965-2200
POET Biorefining - Chancellor, SD, is located 5 miles west of Lennox, SD and approximately 20 miles southwest of Sioux Falls, SD in the heart of prime South Dakota corn growing country. The plant utilizes over 35 million bushels of locally grown corn and processes it into 110 million gallons of ethanol on an annual basis.

Originally built in 2003 as a 45 million gallon plant, the Chancellor facility was expanded in March of 2008 to an annual production level of 100 million gallons of ethanol and 56,000 tons of POET's premium Dakota Gold dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). This level of production makes it the largest of the POET plants.

A unique aspect of the POET Chancellor facility is the ability to produce the energy used at the plant. Our solid waste fuel boiler burns several hundred tons of wood chips each day and captures and burns methane gas from the Sioux Falls city landfill. These efforts represent an opportunity to produce green energy from recycled fuel sources creating a win-win for the city of Sioux Falls and the Chancellor facility.

We are also proud to be a part of Growth Energy which encourages a positive perception of our plant and industry. Growth Energy promotes the expansion of the use of ethanol in gasoline and the importance of decreasing our dependence on foreign oil through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign.

CORSON, SD
Farm Family of the Year
The Johnson's were 2005 Farm Family of the Year, invite you to tour their family farm. Bob and his wife Sandy have three sons, Quentin, Jarrod and Justin. The Johnsons run a cow herd, feed cattle, and grow corn, soybeans, alfalfa, winter wheat and hay.

CROOKS, SD
Farm Family of the Year
It is a family affair: with Mike and his wife, Kathy; Pat and his wife, Joanne; and all 20 of their children involved in different areas of the operation, from milking cattle to harvesting the crops.

As the kids grew, the operation changed. What began as a dairy farm has evolved into a cattle finishing feed lot and grain and ethanol production facility.

Today, after what was seen as a non-traditional path for an agricultural operation, they have been met with success, producing more than 600 gallons of ethanol per day and keeping their product local.

Due to their success and the sheer number of people involved, in 1998 Geraets Brothers partnership was dissolved and each family continued with their own operation. Now, JPJ has two large cattle finishing barns, with enough room for 2,500 cattle at a time. They also do custom feeding, which makes up 30 to 40 percent of their capacity.

RURAL SIOUX FALLS, SD
McCrossan's Boys Ranch
McCrossan Boys Ranch is a private non-profit organization dedicated to providing a place for boys to grow into men. We reach out to boys between the ages of nine and twenty who have experienced conflict in their lives. At McCrossan Boys Ranch we are fortunate to have our boys surrounded with dedicated and caring individuals that are living examples to the life the boys are striving for. Through values, goals, education and skills we prepare our boys to live a balanced life outside the Ranch. The 80-acre campus provides a real Ranch atmosphere. Residents are housed in cottages and there is an on-campus school, gymnasium, chapel, outdoor recreation field, riding arena and livestock barn located on the campus. Several staff are also housed on campus.

*On this portion of the tour, you will be able to visit with boys from the ranch and participants of the rodeo.

RURAL SIOUX FALLS, SD
McCrossan's Boys Ranch Xtreme Event Challenge
Sat, August 25, 2012
We will have dinner and attend the rodeo event featuring some of the fastest barrel racers and best bull riders.

Actual locations told about in the famous Laura Ingalls Wilder books "Little House on the Prairie"

DESMET, SD
Little Town on the Prairie
www.desmetsd.com
Phone: 866-528-7273
Discover Laura Ingalls Wilder with a visit to "The Little Town on the Prairie", DeSmet, South Dakota. Laura's stories come to life when you join our costumed guides for a visit to the original homes of author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Explore the Surveyors' House where Laura and her family spent their first Dakota winter. Laura wrote about this home in her "Little House" book, By the Shores of Silver Lake. Visit the home that Pa built, the Ingalls Home, and learn what happened to Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura, Carrie and Grace. Experience a unique journey into Laura's life and history!

DESMET, SD
Ingalls Homestead
www.ingallshomestead.com
Phone: 605-854-9040
Visit the prairie of Laura's "Little House" stories. Pa Ingalls and his family claimed this piece of Dakota Territory as their homestead. Sample 1880's pioneering life: Covered wagon rides, Historic school session, Hands-on pioneering activities, Prairie learning center. Covered wagon rides, Historic school session, Hands-on pioneering activities, Prairie learning center.

MADISON, SD
Historic Prairie Village
www.prairievillage.org
Phone: 800-693-3644
A living museum of the past. Located 2 miles west of Madison, South Dakota on the shores of Lake Herman and situated on 120 acres, Prairie Village has over 40 antique-filled buildings reliving the days of an active turn of the century main street. Visit the Lawrence Welk Opera House, sod and log houses, country school, churches and one of the last remaining chapel railroad cars, the "Emmanuel". See agricultural displays, steam tractors, sawmill and much more. Join us in 2012 for our 50th Anniversary Steam Threshing Jamboree Featuring John Deere.

MADISON, SD
Smith Zimmerman Heritage Museum
www.smith-zimmermann.dsu.edu
Phone: 800-693-3644
A living museum of the past. Located 2 miles west of Madison, South Dakota on the shores of Lake Herman and situated on 120 acres, Prairie Village has over 40 antique-filled buildings reliving the days of an active turn of the century main street. Visit the Lawrence Welk Opera House, sod and log houses, country school, churches and one of the last remaining chapel railroad cars, the "Emmanuel". See agricultural displays, steam tractors, sawmill and much more.

MITCHELL, SD
Prehistoric Indian Village
www.mitchellindianvillage.org
Phone: 605-996-5473
Active archaeological site of 1,000 year old village. Offering a combination of cultural events, displays, and hands-on activities, the Indian Village can provide a link to native people who lived 1000 years ago, people who lived during the era of earth lodges, and today's Native American communities.

MITCHELL, SD
Dakota Discovery Museum
www.dakotadiscovery.com
Phone: 605-996-2122
Native American and Pioneer history and art. Four art galleries feature original works by Oscar Howe, Harvey Dunn, Charles Hargens, James Earle Fraser, Gutzon Borglum and others. Changing exhibits gallery features one person shows, emphasizing American Indian artists of the Northern Plains. The building complex includes Farwell country church; Sheldon country school; Beckwith House (1885 Italianate home with Victorian furnishings); and Dimock, South Dakota depot.

MITCHELL, SD
Corn Palace
www.cornpalace.com
Phone: 605-995-8427
Uniquely designed corn murals. The Corn Palace serves as a multi-use center for the community and region. The facility hosts, stage shows, as well as sports events in its arena. The World's Only Corn Palace is an outstanding structure, which stands as a tribute to the agricultural heritage of South Dakota.

MITCHELL, SD
Corn Palace Festival
www.cornpalace.com
Phone: 800-289-7469
One of South Dakota's longest running annual events, the Corn Palace Festival celebrates the redecoration of the Corn Palace. It features family entertainment, carnival rides, open class exhibits, food & specialty vendors, indoor concerts with national entertainment and a free stage entertainment.

FREEMAN, SD
Heritage Hall Museum
museum@freemaninfo.com
Phone: 888-595-9755
Native American and Pioneer history exhibits. The Heritage Hall Museum is dedicated to the preservation of rare articles used by our ancestors on the way to our standard of living today. It is our desire to leave a record for our children's children to understand and learn from their ancestors. The Heritage Hall Museum has over 20,000 items on display for your enjoyment.

FREEMAN, SD
Prairie Arboretum
Phone: 605-925-4237
A forty acre plot with an outdoor amphitheatre, visitor center, large pond area, over a mile of walking trails, a rose garden, perennial gardens, dwarf conifer garden and several sculptures.

VERMILLION, SD
National Music Museum
www.usd.edu/smm
Phone: 605-677-5306
A surprising cultural exhibit of musical instruments from around the world including instruments thousands of years old.

VERMILLION, SD
Valiant Vineyards Winery
www.valiantvineyards.com
Phone: 605-624-4117
Lunch & Wine tasting

YANKTON, SD
Spirit Mound
Hwy 19 North of Vermillion
Where Lewis & Clark stood overlooking herds of buffalo and the rolling plains.

YANKTON, SD
Gavins Point Dam
Four Miles West on Highway 52
Phone: 402-667-2546
Experience the 2011 historic water releases of Gavins Point Dam, the last dam located on the Missouri River. It was completed in 1957 as part of the Pick-Sloan Plan. The dam and powerplant are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Tour the powerplant and learn how it operates. See the generators in action!

YANKTON, SD
Meridian Bridge and Water Works Public Park
The Meridian Bridge, a long-time landmark in Yankton, is the result of hard work and determination of local citizens. The bridge closed to vehicle transportation in October 2008, but opened in November 2011 to foot traffic. The bridge welcomes foot and bike traffic. Spanning over 3,029 feet, the Meridian Bridge is the longest pedestrian bridge connecting two states, Nebraska and South Dakota. It was originally built in 1924 and was the first permanent bridge crossing the Missouri River. This unique bridge is a "double-decker" with one lane positioned above another. It was constructed as a lift-span bridge to allow riverboat traffic to traverse the river. Up until 1953, it was operated as a toll bridge.

YANKTON, SD
Lewis & Clark Visitor Center
Four Miles West on Highway 121
Phone: 402-667-2546
Located on top of scenic Calumet Bluff, the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center overlooks the Missouri River and Lewis and Clark Lake. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Park Service, this center offers early history of the Missouri River and Lewis and Clark, a theater, wildlife displays and a view of Gavins Point Dam.

YANKTON, SD
Dakota Territorial Museum
610 Summit St.
www.dakotaterritorialmuseum.org
Phone: 605-665-3898
Take a step back in time as you enter the Dakota Territorial Museum. The museum holds a large collection of rare memorabilia of early life in the Dakota Territory. Some of the exhibits include the musical instruments of Felix Vinatieri, the band leader for General George Custer's 7th Calvary band, a Max Copper Vintage Boat Motor and fishing collection, Great Northern railroad caboose and one-room country school. Admission is free.

Bash to the Colonies Sailboat Regatta Lewis & Clark Lake
www.bashtothecolonies.com
6th Annual festival August 24–26 – Bash to the Colonies Sailboat Regatta is a "friendly competition" between sailing enthusiasts. Trophies are awarded but the event is not a hardcore race. It has developed into a weekend of sailing, fun, food, music, and entertainment. All proceeds go to Special Olympics South Dakota to help those with handicaps. All types of boats get on the Lewis and Clark Lake to watch the race, tag along with the race, and to simply enjoy the water for the weekend. There are many fun and exciting things to do throughout the weekend.

Historic Downtown Yankton
www.historicdowntownyankton.com
Stroll through the downtown area and browse over 150 individually owned and operated businesses and unique shops. You will discover specialty gift, clothing and antique shops. As well as art galleries and a variety of home furnishings, decorating and business services to suit your needs. The historic downtown offers small town charm, unique architecture and area attractions and events all year-round. Located along the Missouri River, just blocks away from historic neighborhoods, sites, museums and community parks.

BROOKINGS, SD
McCrory Gardens and South Dakota Arboretum
www.sdstate.edu/hflp/mccrory
74 acres of botanical gardens and an arboretum located on the South Dakota State University campus. They are open daily without charge. The site contains both floral botanical gardens (20 acres) and an arboretum (45 acres). Its gardens include 14 theme gardens, a rose garden (more than 30 varieties), an herb garden, and a children's maze (1140 feet of hedges at a height of three to six feet). The Centennial Prairie Garden represents 5 prairie environments, ranging from tall grass and short grass prairies to the montane prairie of the Black Hills.

BROOKINGS, SD
Children's Museum
www.prairieplay.org
Phone: 605-692-6700
The Children's Museum of South Dakota promotes learning for children of all ages and abilities through interactive, informal, hands-on exhibits. The museum stimulates curiosity and creativity by providing children with opportunities for hands-on learning, key to their cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being. Children's Museums are committed to serving the unique needs and interests of children by providing exhibits and programs that create a spark for discovery and lifelong learning. http://www.prairieplay.org

BROOKINGS, SD
South Dakota Art Museum
www.sdstate.edu/southdakotaartmuseum
Phone: 605-688-5423
Located on the South Dakota State University campus, the South Dakota Art Museum offers a variety of both family and public programs throughout the year. It offers many opportunities for teachers and their students to learn about South Dakota artists, history through art and much more.

DELL RAPIDS, SD
The Grand Opera House
Built in 1888, owner and renovator Joan Rasmusson restored "The Grand" to its Romanesque Revival splendor with round-topped windows, decorative stepped cornice, and original entrance doors! The Grand sits comfortably within the Dell Rapids Historic District. Attention was given to detail so you may enjoy a bit of history. Plays, symphonies, concerts and dances are combined with an historic atmosphere that provides a full bar, coffee and desserts. We serve a limited menu to coincide with events.

GARRETSON, SD
Palisades State Park
Northeast of Sioux Falls – 20 Minutes
Jessie James, one of the most notorious outlaws in history, still lives on in South Dakota's historic Palisades State Park. Walk amongst magnificent rock formations creating a natural paradise for picnicking, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and rock climbing.

GARRETSON, SD
Split Rock Creek & Devil's Gulch
Imagine a persistent posse chasing the outlaw and no where to go, so he turns his horse and jumps, leaving the bewildered posse behind. Devil's Gulch is the area where the legend of 1876 is reported to have taken place. Visitors can cross the chasm themselves via the bridge.

Below Devil's Gulch is the Split Rock River, that runs along red Sioux Quartzite cliffs, wildlife, flowers, and the legendary Jesse James cave. Visitors can purchase tickets for a Jesse James Pontoon Ride for a relaxing adventure.

Blood Run
Rural Eastern Sioux Falls, SD
(park in development)
The Blood Run National Historic Landmark (designated in 1970), is like a natural island in a sea of residential and commercial development a few miles southeast of Sioux Falls straddling the Big Sioux River in Iowa and South Dakota. On close and educated examination, there are signs of past human habitation everywhere on the forest floor and meadowlands. The river, abundant wildlife and wood for fuel, fertile flood plains, availability of catlinite (pipestone) and protection from winds made the area a crossroads of Native American civilization from 1300 – 1700 AD and possibly even longer. Occupants were primarily Oneota Indigenous Peoples, including Omaha, Ioway, Oto and Yankton Sioux Tribes. The site is a time capsule of Indigenous culture. No other Oneota site of such size and integrity is known to exist in the United States.